Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 12, 2026

PetConnect ("we", "our", or "us") is operated by JheiLabs. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use the PetConnect mobile application ("App").

By using PetConnect, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

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1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

• Account information: Name, email address, profile photo, and location (province/city) provided during registration.
• Pet profiles: Pet name, species, breed, age, weight, photos, videos, and health records you create.
• Content you create: Journey stories, Moment stories, sighting reports, condolence messages, and community interactions.
• Usage data: App activity, feature usage, login streaks, and community participation (treats dropped, sparks lit).
• Device information: Device type, operating system, and Firebase Cloud Messaging token for push notifications.
• Payment information: Subscription and in-app purchase transactions are processed by Google Play and RevenueCat. We do not store your payment card details.

2. Camera Permission

PetConnect requests camera permission (android.permission.CAMERA) to enable you to take photos directly within the app. This permission is used for:

• Capturing photos for pet profiles
• Taking photos for Journey stories and Moment stories
• Submitting photos with missing pet sighting reports
• Uploading photos for other app features

The camera is only activated when you explicitly choose to use the camera feature. We do not access your camera in the background or without your permission. Photos you take are stored in Firebase Cloud Storage and associated with your account.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and operate the PetConnect App and its features.
• Display your pet profiles, stories, and community contributions to other users.
• Send push notifications for sighting alerts, health reminders, and community activity.
• Process subscription payments and manage your subscription tier (Free, Herald, Guardian).
• Aggregate community activity data (treat drops, community sparks, welfare chest contributions) to calculate and verify JheiLabs' monthly sponsorship commitments to partner animal welfare organizations. Only aggregated totals are shared with partner organizations — individual user data is never disclosed.
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access.
• Improve the App through analytics and usage patterns.
• Comply with legal obligations.

4. Information Shared With Others

Your public profile information (name, profile photo, province/city, subscription tier) is visible to other PetConnect users. Pet profiles you mark as public, Journey stories, Moment stories, and sighting reports you submit are visible to other users.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

We share information with the following service providers solely to operate the App:

• Google Firebase — authentication, database, storage, and cloud functions.
• RevenueCat — subscription and in-app purchase management.
• Google AdMob — advertising (Free tier users).
• Google Gemini — AI-powered PawBot pet care assistant.

5. Missing Pet Sightings

When you submit a sighting report for a missing pet, your display name and the sighting details (location, photo, timestamp) are shared with the pet owner. If your account is deleted, your name is replaced with "Deleted User" but the sighting report is retained to preserve the pet owner's rescue investigation.

6. Data Retention and Deletion

You may delete your account at any time from Settings → Delete Account. When you delete your account:

• Immediately: Your Firebase Auth account, personal fields (name, email, photo), private data (health records, notifications, PawBot conversations, treat ledger, badges), and pet profiles are deleted.
• After 30 days: Your public content (Journey stories, Moment stories, pet profiles) is permanently deleted.
• Retained: Sighting reports you submitted are anonymized ("Deleted User") and retained for pet owners. Condolence messages you wrote on Memoria pet profiles are anonymized and retained out of respect for the pet owner.

The default deletion path gives you a 7-day window to cancel by logging back in. You may also choose instant deletion with no recovery window.

Sighting reports you submitted are classified as Critical Community Records. They are retained and anonymized (your name replaced with "Deleted User") rather than deleted, as they may be essential to active rescue investigations or legal pet ownership disputes. The location, photo, and timestamp of the sighting are preserved for the pet owner's reference.

7. Children's Privacy

PetConnect is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

8. Security

We use Firebase security rules, App Check (Google Play Integrity), and HTTPS encryption to protect your data. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

9. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access and update your personal information through the App's profile settings.
• Delete your account and associated data as described in Section 5.
• Opt out of push notifications through your device settings.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the App. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at:
support.petconnect@jheilabs.com